The Palace of Versailles in Paris was evacuated briefly on Tuesday afternoon after smoke was spotted during renovation work on the roof. The palace press office confirmed that there was no fire, but smoke was coming from a “hot zone” in the wood in the roofing. Local firefighters were able to quickly extinguish the smoke, and there were no injuries or damage reported. The Palace of Versailles is a popular tourist attraction, welcoming 8 million visitors annually.
Tourists were evacuated as a precaution, but were allowed back in after the smoke was cleared. This incident comes after the devastating fire at Notre Dame cathedral in 2019, which resulted in the collapse of the spire. The restoration of Notre Dame is set to be completed by the end of 2024.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the cause of the smoke at the Palace of Versailles. The safety of visitors and preservation of the heritage collections are top priorities for the historic site. Despite the brief evacuation, the Palace of Versailles continues to be a must-visit destination for tourists looking to explore the rich history and architecture of France.
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